MINISTERS MUST BE FRANK: JAMES TIEN
Tung Chee-hwa should appoint ministers who dare to give frank advice, former executive councillor James Tien Pei-chun says.
Mr Tien said Mr Tung should also meet members of the pro-democracy camp more often and recognise that they are equally committed to working for the interests of Hong Kong.
In his first appearance on RTHK's Letter to Hong Kong programme since resigning from Mr Tung's cabinet this month over the Article 23 controversy, the Liberal Party chairman said appointing the right ministers would help restore public confidence.
He said the public should have faith in the integrity and abilities of the ministers appointed by Mr Tung.
'Above all, the ministers should be in touch with public opinion and not be afraid to give frank advice, even when at odds with the government's preferred policy. The best advice is not always the advice that leaders wish to hear,' Mr Tien said.
The government was forced to defer the vote on the controversial national security legislation this month after Mr Tien resigned from the Executive Council in the wake of the 500,000-strong protest shook the government on July 1.
